8. The Crescent Moon and Lord Chandrasekara

Shiva bears crescent on the moon on his matter hair. According to Shivapurana, the epithet Chandrsekhara, having the crescent moon on his crest is a standard iconographic feature date from the period when Rudra rose to prominence as major deity. The evolution of this linkage was identified with moon with Soma which is narrated in Rig Veda Text. The sun keeps on evaporating the water two-third of the year and shower as rain for about four months. The water that evaporated by the Sun promotes the Moon which does not consume the water and pass-on to clouds. During the winter season the water particles released from the moon falls on earth as snow and dew (himāṃśu). The rays emitted from the sun called Sushumna nourish the moon while on brighter phases, which is having more astrological relevance.

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The verses of Mahashivapurana as Shiva Sahasranama explain the Lord as the owner of he Crown of Crescent Moon, that has been owned as a jewel and as eternal knowledge to protect the universal rule and nourishment and who exist as the powerful destroyer of brahma without distinguishing the limits of time, place and the matter. He has been designated as the Virad Purusha who paves the way for the entry to heavens through the purusharthas. Lord shiva is considered as the sovereign of eight murthi(s) such as water, air, fire, atmosphere, sun, moon, earth and the ultimate owner of this world.